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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






2. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






3. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






4. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






5. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






6. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






7. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






8. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






9. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






10. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






11. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






12. Group of singers in a chorus.






13. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






14. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






15. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






16. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






17. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






18. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






19. The first violin in an orchestra.






20. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






21. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






22. Repetition of a single tone.






23. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






24. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






25. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






26. The highest female voice.






27. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






28. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






29. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






30. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






31. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






32. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






33. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






34. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






35. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






36. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






37. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






38. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






39. Unmusical - without tone.






40. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






41. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






42. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






43. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






44. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






45. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






46. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






47. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






48. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






49. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






50. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.